Dear Family,
Whether you are blood related or not, I consider you my family. That is one thing I have learned this year, my family extends far beyond the blood and DNA relation. And it is not just because of your donations or prayers, but because you have been following me and my journey all this year.
With that being said, I hope this letter finds you well! I am currently in my LAST country of the World Race… South Africa. Just typing that is overwhelming. I will be back in America in less than two weeks and will start preparing for the next chapter that the Lord has called me to. During this year, the Lord has transformed, renewed, and completely wrecked my life and what that means for the future and I am writing to share with you about my next step.
I am going to CGA January 17, 2020.
Now what does that mean? CGA, or Center of Global Action, is a program run through Adventure in Missions, the same organization that orchestrates the World Race which is located in Gainesville, GA. It is a five month leadership and discipleship program. The main focus of CGA is to help World Race alumni follow their calling, learn more about themselves, and train them to do missions at home, in the workplace, and abroad.
But Carter, isn’t that what the Race was supposed to do?
No, honestly the World Race has been a year long missions trip around the world, helping ministries with their work and lifting them up. It also showed me my passions and quickly showed me what weren’t. I have learned a lot about myself and the Lord, that’s true. But I want more. I want to learn how to disciple and love others. But first I need that done for me in a more focused environment, hence CGA.
CGA is going to challenge me in ways the World Race never did. I am going to be back in America, doing ministry with my neighbors. And learning what it truly means to be spiritually driven, emotionally healthy, and centered in my identity. I will be working a part time job in Gainesville, attending class five days a week, and volunteering and being part of a brand new community. I will be learning what it looks like to be a servant leader in the missions field in America and learn how to do missions in a place where people need to be loved just as mush as those overseas.
This was not my first choice. In Thailand I had a long conversation with some squad mates about how I was done with AIM after the Race. I learned what I needed to and I was planning on working full time until grad school. CGA was a no for me and that was it. Two days later I had a call with my mentor who said she had been praying for me. I said great what about and she told me that she had heard from the Lord over the last few days about me attending CGA… no knowledge of the conversation that happened a few days prior.
After many conversations and months of praying, I knew this was what the Lord had called me to and I’m so excited to start! I believe this will be a redemptive moment for me and my past life in Gainesville. It will also be a chance to adapt back to the “American Life” while staying in strong community. There are many reasons which are a blog in and of themselves.
The World Race has taught me a lot. I have seen brokenness in a world that couldn’t care less about it. I have seen things that I can’t express on paper or in a blog. I have seen the need. But I have also seen miracles, I have seen some of the happiest people on the planet live with less than a quarter of what I have. I have made relationships in a month that will last the test of time. I have experienced love indescribable. My community of the Race has become a part of me. And I want to bring that home to America.
Because even if we don’t want to admit it, we need love. We need people to come alongside us and support us and love us like Jesus. My verse from James 1:27 is not changing coming home: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” We have widows and orphans at home who need to be loved on. We have people hurting who need love. I want to bring that back home. I want to bring Kingdom with me wherever I go.
I will be challenged in this next season of my life. Because I have been asked to do what was one of the hardest parts of the World Race, raising financial support. In total, I need to raise $5,850 for this program. This covers the cost of the program, housing, and utilities for all five months, as well a self-led domestic missions trip. I will be working part-time to pay for all other aspects of “adulthood” but I need your help.
Many of you supported me financially for the World Race and I can’t even begin to describe or express my gratitude for your generosity. I mean $18,200! What a miracle in and of itself! As I take this step in faith, I trust that the Lord will provide again. I would like to invite you to invest in me. Because I truly believe that investing in my journey is investing in the Kingdom. And I don’t say that from pride or self-righteousness, but because I know this is where the Lord has me to launch me into His work in my future.
Would you consider partnering with me in this next season?
Whether your support is a one-time gift or a monthly donation, each is appreciated, treasured, and cherished. I cannot do this alone. If you chose to support me in this next part of my life, I would love to talk to you when I get home about what this means to me and my future in the Kingdom of God. I have to hit $2,000 by January 17, the start day of the program. I have included my contact information below.And guess what? On the 23 of November I will be able to take calls again!
I would also invite you into prayer for me. I think that is more important than anything else. As I go through this program and this journey, I want a team of people who are praying for me consistently because I know this next season will be hard and completely different from the Race.
Thank you all for everything you have done for me this year and for those who have poured into before and since the World Race. I look forward to partnering with you again for a few months of blogs, stories and very sporadic pictures. I have a new website so you can move your subscription to that one. It is also where you can make donations!
www.cartergroves.adventurescga.org
Click the “Donate!” Button at the top of the page to make a tax-deductible donation. You can also Venmo at @cartergroves18 or mail checks to my address
Carter Groves
7707 Romney Rd
Houston, TX 77036
Your Brother in Christ,
Carter
If you have any questions about CGA, please email me at [email protected] or (770) 530-3164
